The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-30

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during the ten years, as follows:
Strictly temperate, 2S7; moderate
drinkers, 992; spasmodic drinkers
1913; admitted Incorporate, 5191.
Only per cent sober men and 96 per
cent drinkers, glade criminals by in
tcxicating liquor.
Does crime cost the State less now
than during the years under review?
Let us see. From November /, 1884
to October 81, 1886, there were 219l
persons convicted and sent to the
penitcntiary, and accepting the Hon.
George Clark's figures as correct,
their cost to the State and counties in
hard cash was S2,011 1888, or over one
million dollars per annum. Besides
this sum. the cost of maintaining the
pcnitcntiary was $956,54IS4, a
part OF which, however, was
received from contractors, who
had hired the convicts from the State.
Admit that crime has not cost the
State more money than the figures
above, will the Attorney General, or
some "liShtning calculator" tell the
people how much the State loses by
every honest man, made thief, every
law-abiding citizen, made Il murderer,
whilst under Inc influence of drink.
Turning away from this, impossible
computation we find that nearly all
the ready advocates of the liquor
traffic are greatly concerned lest the
people lose their respect for law, for
they tell us chat men will lie to get
whiskcy" aud become "cheats, frauds.
law-breakers, secret drunkards and |
striped hogs" Does il eyer occur TO |
them that traffic which induces such
pernicious practices, and so controls
and warps the honesty and manhood |
of the land ought to be stamped out
quickly. before it undermines all the
virtue that is lett. Is it safe TO tenn
porizc and put off the evil day?
Every advocate of the liquor traffic is
an apoligist for its crimes. Gibbs
says II am not going to deny the
countless evils of drunkenness" Coke
says | yield to no man greater desta-
ton of the vices and crimes of drunk
cnncss." Hogg says there will be
some chance at least of combining u
great evil under the surveillance of
law" and "that evil pursuits should
bear the heaviest burdens" Ireland
says II would like to sec the saloons
abolished" Mills anathemas against
the trsfiic have reasounded from one
end Of the State 10 the other.
So full of evil is this traffic that no
prominent man in the State, be he anti
or what not, but what admits it. The
only point Of difference is how best to
control II. All agree that something
must be done to diminish its wither
ing influences. TO say a prohibitory
law cannot be enforced is ali admis-
sion that we do not want it enforced.
The Governors, Judges, Juries and
law officers of Texas are generally
equal to any emergency, and the pro-
have no fear on this score.
They know full well that Gov. Ross
would see that the law was executed.
Governors, Judges and other high
officials in the States which have
adopted similar amendments say in
official documents that the law can
be enforced, and that heal
thy public sentiment grows up
quickly, TO sustain it. Shall their
positive declarations go for naught
against the plea of liquor advocates
that "there is great danger of Texans
drifting into sneaks, moral towards
and liars. if the traffic is abolished.
Peach brandy, apple brandy, black
berry brandy, corn and rye whisky,
all of which are IN great demand, can
be distilled al. over the State now if
parties desire to do so, but we do not
hear of single distillery now in opcr-
alton in Texas. Why so! Simply be
cause it does not pay. The men who
drink and the men who sell beer,
brandy, gin aud other intox.
icating liquors have raised hue and
cry about supprcssing the infant in
FAINT industry" viz, the grape culture.
What need they care? How many
vineyards do they own? Is there
wine press in Texas? The adapt
ability of Texas soil and climate for
grape culture and wine making was
Just as well known 200 years ago to
the Spaniards and French, who owned
md roamed over the country, as it is
now. They were then and are now
tho wine makers of the world, and
wine making is ono of the most
ancient industries. Why has it not
grown up in Texas with the other in
llnstries, with the young industry of
cotton growing for instance! If there
Is any profit in wine making in Texas,
why has not the wine industry pros